Simon Ekpa arrest: Finland-based Nigerians panic as search for collaborators intensifies
In recent days, reports of Simon Ekpa’s arrest has brought great relief to Nigeria Government, which in months, has been militated by the havoc caused in Southeast Nigeria.
Ekpa’s arrest came following diplomatic pressure instigated by Nigeria Government on the Finnish counterparts.
Following his arrest, many Nigerians, especially those within the Southeastern Nigeria, have continually expressed their joy and happiness in hope that peace and security will return to the region soon.
Meanwhile, various Nigerians in Finland have been thrown into “Panic Mode” following the arrest and detention of the self-acclaimed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Simon Ekpa.
Truly, Ekpa is one of the members of the IPOB but occasionally, the renowned leaders of the group have disowned Ekpa and destructive actions within the region.
According to various reports, Nigerians in Finland appear timid and afraid to comment on the arrest and detention of the Ekpa over fear of being victimised.
In a statement issued by a Nigerian community leader, whose identity is shielded for fear of victimisation, noted that the Igbo community, in general, had been gravely affected by the terror caused by the secessionist group.
He said, “Everyone is afraid to speak about Ekpa’s arrest. The key people in Finland and the Igbo community at large are not ready to lend their voices either.”
The source further disclosed that ‘amidst’ terror attacks by Ekpa and his boys, those who were accused of reporting them to the police were being threatened.
“A particular person they accused now, they’re after him. This happened before he (Ekpa) was even remanded—what will happen when they imprison him? Everyone is afraid. These people are very deadly,” the source said.
Another source, whose identity is also veiled, noted that since the arrest and detention of the separatist leader, there has been tension among the Nigerians in Finland.
“People don’t want to speak about Ekpa for fear of being hunted by his followers. We believe that they will hunt whoever comes out to talk about their leader. But the Finnish Government is trying to get rid of the situation.”
His Arrest
On Thursday, the Finnish Authorities nabbed Ekpa with four others on suspicion of terror-incited activities, hovering around incitement to violence and terror financing.
Simon Ekpa, who has identified himself as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile on several occasions, is accused of utilising social media platform to aid violent activities and unrest in southeastern Nigeria which includes attacks on civilians and security agents.
We can recall that Ekpa’s first arrest came in February 2023 spiting comments and enforcing sit-at-home orders to the southeastern people.
The suspect earned international awareness following his call to the southeastern people to ignore Nigeria’s 2023 general elections which was carried out by violent means.
Prior to his arrest, Ekpa had mustered global attention, with hundreds and thousands of Nigerians at home and in diaspora petitioning the Finnish and Nigerian governments, as well as the European Union, to act against Ekpa’s destructive activities.
Responding to the petitions, Finnish Ambassador Leena Pylvanainen was invited by Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, imploring the Finnish Government, through the Ambassador, to bring Ekpa to book.
a report by Yle, a Finnish local publication, noted that the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation acted by arresting and later, releasing Ekpa.
Reports by the Finnish police also stated that Ekpa, who is a Finnish citizen but of Nigerian origin, and four other companions were nabbed while conducting an international investigation.
In the reports, it is revealed that the District Court of Päijät-Häme, Finland, had ordered that Ekpa be detained in prison, “with probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.”
The police noted that Ekpa, who was the main suspect, was apprehended “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” while four unnamed accomplices were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime.”
According to Mikko Laaksonen, a Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, who held back Ekpa’s details, said: “NBI Finland cannot confirm the name of the suspect(s). The proceedings in the district court and contents of the decisions are classified at this point of the investigation.”
“The Ministry of Justice is the competent authority regarding extraditions,” he added.
Search For Collaborators
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s social media users are already in search for possible sponsors of the suspect (Simon Ekpa), especially those bankrolling his terror activities from the United States.
According to an X user, who said those sponsoring his genocidal and terror activities in the Southeast should be searched out and brought to book.
In his tweet: “If Simon Ekpa is indicted for terrorism in Finland and you know anybody in the US who has donated to him, please forward name and address to me.
“I’ll make a comprehensive list I’m sending to the Department of State as sponsors of terrorism.
“Someone has to pay for the lives wasted and blood spilled in Igbo land. Destroying your lives here in the US is the least we can do.”
With several persons were identified in the tweet, none of which were able to confess their relationship with him.
Another X user in his tweet said it has become compulsion for Finnish Government to check Ekpa’s financial flow in order to track those involved in the financial sponsor.
“And those in Diaspora and at home funding his terrorism act will be brought to book,” he added.
Ekpa’s Arrest And Detention Gladden IPOB, MASSOB
According to Emma Powerful, the Spokesperson for IPOB, said that Southeastern people burst into joy and happiness when the news of Ekpa’s arrest went viral.
He noted that Ekpa has been the main culprit of the unrest and havoc unleashed on the region.
He said, “There was no rest; people could not sleep with two eyes closed, people cannot go to another village for visitation because of what he is doing with his criminal gang.
“Except the politicians that are supporting him that will not be happy with what is happening to him. Now he has said that he is not a prime minister of Biafra and that he is an ordinary member. He is not our member.
“If they (government) feel that they can extradite him, better. If they feel like bringing him for trial in Nigeria, it is okay. But they know those sponsoring him,” he added.
While Samuel Edeson, the spokesperson for the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, disclosed that the group had embarked on consultation on his arrest.
Edeson said, “We are still studying the events and circumstances surrounding the arrest. We will consult other groups and do the needful when we are done.”
Nigeria Observes Ekpa’s Situation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Nigerian Government would not stop following Ekpa’s case, stressing the significance of addressing the influence of the IPOB and other transnational actors on Nigeria’s national security.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, the spokesperson for the ministry, stated on Friday as he also confirmed that arrest of Ekpa on Thursday.
In his statements: “He was charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence. The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.
“The ministry wishes to affirm that the arrest of Mr Simon Ekpa is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB and neutralising the influence of transnational actors on our national security.
“The ministry will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses,” the statement read.
Ekpa’s Extradition process
On Thursday, the Director of Defence Information Brigadier General Tukur Gusau proposed that Ekpa, who happens to be the leader of the Easter Security Network (ESN), the paramilitary outfit of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), should be extradited to Nigeria to answer criminal charges against him.
Howbeit, experts, who are knowledgeable in extradition process, have expressed doubt about Ekpa’s proposed extradition, citing crucial legal and diplomatic hiccups.
Some have also echoed that no extradition accord both countries involved (Finland and Nigeria) which bring about difficulty for extradition process to take place.
According to Nigerian envoy, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, noted that the decision to extradite Ekpa anchors on the nature of the diplomatic relationship between the countries.
He stressed that even when there is no extradition treaty, multilateral agreements could come into play.
“It is possible that countries may extradite individuals based on multilateral agreements, even if there is no direct treaty between them,” he added.
He also cited the role of international law, indicating that, Nigerian as a sovereign nation, her interest would be safeguarded under the United Nations treaty.
“No member of the United Nations would support actions that threaten the sovereignty of another member nation unless there is a direct bilateral dispute,” Farounbi said.
Pa Farounbi also stressed that Finland would look to follow due process and the rule of law considering extradition process, and the decision would be a fruit of Finland’s legal framework, not Nigeria’s.
“If Simon Ekpa’s actions are deemed to threaten Finland’s diplomatic interests, the court could rule against extradition based on Finnish law,” he added.
Simon Ekpa Arrest: Finland-based Nigerians Panic